Full Paper: Project LEARN Revisiting History and Creating New Narratives for Young Filipino Readers

Revisiting History and Creating Narratives for Young Filipino Readers from Zarah Gagatiga

PPT: Project LEARN @ the 7th Rizal Library International Conference

Project LEARN @ the 7thRILC from Zarah Gagatiga

Joining Rizal Library's 50th Next Month

November 16-18, 2017 is the 7th Rizal Library International Conference. This year, I am presenting a paper I co-wrote with Darrel Marco and MJ "Xi Zuq" Tumamac. Our paper, “Project LEARN: Revisiting History and Creating New Narratives for Young Filipino Readers” has been accepted for presentation under the sub-theme “Culture and History: Philippine Studies and Libraries, Jose Rizal and Libraries, Evolution of Cultures in Literary Texts, Reading Customs and Practices”.

Below is the abstract:

Project LEARN: Revisiting History and Creating New Narratives for Young Filipino Readers

This paper describes the creative process that went through in revising a thirty-year-old series of illustrated children’s books by the Nutrition Council of the Philippines Publishing Corporation (NCPPC), the Bulilit Books. It is a series of books written in English and in Filipino for children age 0 - 12. The series tackles issues and concepts on physical and mental development, home and family life, art and culture, including stories from Philippine folklore and mythology.

The revision project is named Project LEARN: Linguahe ni Juan Para sa Kabataan and has three phases: (1) research and development; (2) production stage; and (3) post production, publishing, distribution, and marketing of the books. The project is already in stage 3 having published all three titles in Filipino, Cebuano and Hiligaynon in July 2017. Plans for distribution and marketing strategies are on-going.

The goal of the Bulilit Books was to improve the health and well-being of the child, however, the language use, prevailing political thought and socio-cultural climate of the 70s were evident in the stories. To simply reprint the originals would prove out of context for the young readers of the 21st century. Significant revisions include changing some elements of the story to create a narrative that is relevant to the experience of the new target readers; adding a guide for teachers and parents that address pedagogical methods; updating the language register and orthography and translating into other languages to cater to a larger audience of parents, educators, and learning communities; and providing new illustrations and design to reflect new trends and methods in illustrating and producing books for children.

Authors: Zarah C. Gagatiga, Darrel Marco, Michael Jude Tumamac

Topics: Culture and History: evolution of cultures in literary texts; reading customs and practices

 

 

Janus Silang Blog Tour Author Interview: Edgar Samar

Super thanks to MJ Tumamac for translating the Filipino version of this interview to English!

Edgar Calabia Samar Interview
Janus Silang Blog Tour

English Translation

Why did you venture on writing for teens?

My first published work is actually a picture book entitled Uuwi na ang Nanay Kong si Darna! (Adarna House, 2002), with illustrations by Russell Molina. On one hand, creating Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tábon is my return to writing for younger readers because after [Uuwi na ang Nanay Kong si] Darna, I started publishing novels and poetry for older readers. The idea for Janus Sílang had been incubating in my mind for a long time but I did not have the opportunity to work on it until I got a RCW (Research & Creative Work) Faculty status in Ateneo [de Manila University], which coincided with last year’s invitation by Adarna House that I write a YA novel. 

What is the biggest challenge you came across as a writer for teens?

I had a lot of things to consider, from the language register that I was going to employ up to the novels’ content. For a lot of times, I had to weigh between making a truthful voice for my characters as well as a realistic story flow, and its would-be impression to my teen readers. Should Janus be cursing or not? Would that be genuine for his character? How would the readers accept that? I think that teen readers of my novel would be able to relate to Janus’s character. The problem would arise maybe from some parents and teachers as they see literature as something young readers should imitate or something that directly influences them. I admire those teachers and parents who look at their students or children’s reading materials as an opportunity to discuss the issues that children are really experiencing. In the face of these challenges, I hope that parents and teachers would see in Janus Sílang the things that children can positively gain.   

Who and what is your inspiration in creating Janus Silang?

I was also asked with this question in my previous interviews. The truth is I have long wanted to write a novel that I think the people I value would read and like, especially by my childhood friends I spent time with growing up in San Pablo. My personal challenge here was valuing simple storytelling. In my previous novels, like Walong Diwata ng Pagkahulog, the project of essaying is more dominant than narrating. For this book, I wanted to create a novel that would make my readers excited and ecstatic. I also wanted to be understood even by a regular teenager. If he reads my novel instead of playing DOTA even just for a few hours, I know that my time in writing this book is not wasted. After he reads the book, and while he waits for Book 2, he may play DOTA again. 

What novel or poem you wish you had written?

A lot! For one, I envy David Mitchell’s Ghostwritten for it is one of the best debut novels I have read. On the other hand, I inherited from Kundera my fondness of essaying in my novels, and his The Unbearable Lightness of Being is I think the book I have read repeatedly the most. Among Filipino works, I am still amazed by Tony Perez’s Cubao Pagkagat ng Dilim. But I also know that every writer has his own world that cannot be penetrated by anyone except when being read. I cannot write like any one of the writers I admire. My own writing is actually recognition and exploration of a world I hope that is not similar with other writers. 

What is next after Janus Sílang?

Wait for the next books in the Janus Sílang series. The second installment hopefully will come out this November and it is entitled Si Janus Sílang at ang Digmaang Manananggal-Mambabarang. I am also finishing for Adarna the book 101 Nilalang na Kagila-gilalas, an encyclopedia of creatures and characters of our own folklore. It might also come out this year, so wait for it! For now, I hope that a lot of teens would read Janus Sílang. It is now available this May in bookstores and it has a series of book launches also this month. Thanks a lot!

Book Spine Poetry Contest February 2014: Judge's Review

For the February run of our Book Spine Poetry Contest in school, I asked MJ Tumamac, Salanga Prize Winning Author to judge the month's entries. Here is MJ's review.

Ano ang hinahanap ko sa isang tula? Marami at madalas ay nag-iiba. Isa rito ay ang “kalinawan” ng pahayag (bagaman ang laging persepsiyon ng mga tao sa tula ay “hindi dapat ito naiintindihan”), ngunit hindi ibig sabihin nito na kung ano ang gustong sabihin ng tula ay mismong sinasabi na sa tula. 

Gusto ko lamang ipahayag na isang pahayag ang tula at hindi lamang binubuo ng mga “matatalinghagang” o “malalalim” na salita at parirala (ngunit hindi ako nanlalahat dahil may mga paraan ng pagtula na binabali ang mga “kumbensiyon”). At huwag ninyo akong isisipi na ikinakahon ko ang kakanyahan ng tula.

Kaya, nagustuhan ko ang tula sa ibaba. Maaari na sigurong alisin ang pangatlong linya dahil maaari na itong lumabas sa pang-apat na linya. May ganoon ding katangian ang huling dalawang linya. Ngunit nagustuhan ko ang matalinong paggamit ng mga pamagat at ang “kalinawan” ng pahayag.

The next 100 years

When everything changed

Split in two

A conflict of vision

The end of nature

Collapse

Ganito din ang makikita sa iba pang nagustuhan kong tula pero malaki siyempre ang impluwensiya na hindi sila ang nag-ayos ng bawat linya dahil mga pamagat ito ng mga aklat.

A world undone

Embracing defeat

Going, going

Gone

The language of passion

All we know of love

Burned

In the shadow of the rising sun

Naaliw naman ako sa tulang ito, kahit na nawiwirduhan ako sa pangalawang linya dahil kabaligtaran ang ginagawa nito sa sinasabi nito.

Dear bully

Without further adieu

Run fast

Someday this pain will be useful to you

At ang pinakanagustuhan kong tula ay ito dahil na rin sa mga pag-isa-isa ng mga bagay-bagay na nagkakaroon ng maraming kahulugan dahil sa piniling paksain.

In defense of women

It's not easy being mean

Cycle and hatred

Blood and rage

Ice cream and sadness

Maiden of pain

A woman's life

Bionote:
MJ Tumamac, aka Xi Zuq, is a poet and writer for children from General Santos City. Visit him at www.xizuqsnook.com.

Storytelling Contest at the NLP

The Philippine Librarians Association is gearing up for the celebration of National Library and Information Services Month in November. Its officers and committee members are all a-buzz, moving about and around on activities that will culminate on November 25-30, 2013. One of these activities is the annual Storytelling Contest for Kids. Marion Jude Gorospe, the librarian in charge for the storytelling activity, invited me to judge the contest.

It was a joy to watch grade school students do a book based telling of MJ Tumamac's Ngumiti si Andoy. More than winning the prize and award, it is the performance itself that counts. To stand in front of an audience and read aloud a story with emotions and movements is a brave thing to do. Despite my misgivings on judging storytelling contests, this particular contest made me eat my words. Again. But, I still believe that we should do more storytelling festivals, presentations and performances because, really, the story is the star of the session.

From L-R: Ann Dominique Noda of Hizon Elementary School; Aimeline Jean Garcia of Hulo Elementary School; Gerri Eunice Tubio of Santulan Elementary School; and Princess Kyla Balidiso of Ilugin Elementary School.

The contest was held at the Children's Library section of the National Library of the Philippines. Librarian in charge is Melai Ramirez, my co-judge along with Prof. Badong Biglaen of Miriam College. The Children's Library looked spacious, more inviting with its decorations and newly acquired books on display. It's well lighted too. What an improvement! Here's hoping that more kids would go to the NLP.

Looking for Andoy

Aimeline Jean Garcia holds a "book cover" she made for the story Ngumiti si Andoy by Michael Jude Tumamac. Aimeline placed 3rd in the PLAI-NCR Storytelling Contest held at the National Library of the Philippines last October 8, 2013.

NCBD Countdown Day 3: The Author of the Month is MJ Tumamac

Author of the month this July is none other than Salanga Prize winner, MJ Tumamac. MJ teaches at Raya School and is currently Secretary of KUTING, the premiere organization of Filipino writers for chidlren.

1. The title of your winning story is Ngumiti si Andoy. Can you give us a gist or summary?

“Ngumiti si Andoy” is about the encounter of a boy with a moving and talking statue of Andres B. Andres B. shares to the boy a piece of his life. As Andres B. narrates his life, he is saddened because he misses his siblings and his wife. To make Andres B. happy, the boy volunteers to draw Andres B.’s loved ones. The boy’s gift makes Andres B. smile.

                  
2. Being a Salanga entry, and Bonifacio themed at that, describe the preparations you made for writing the story?

I revisited some books about Andres B.’s life and works. Realizing that there are a lot of unverified biographies about Andres B., I selected which information to include and speculated on some. Many facts about Andres B.’s life in the story are not integral (though important) and may easily be changed as contentions and new studies may arise. (For instance, most sources say that Andres B. got orphaned by the age of 19, but some say 14 and in between.)

3. Where are your stories and poems published? 

I rarely write stories and have never published one. I mostly write poetry and some of my poems are anthologized in online and print collections. Most of them are written for children. I have yet to publish my own poetry collection/book.

4. Where do you see yourself ten years from now in Philippine Children's Lit?

I hope to continue in fostering Philippine Children’s Literature by writing stories and poems, reading books by Filipinos, promoting literacy, and studying it. My main goal, though, is to publish or help in publishing more poetry books for children since there are only a few of them.

5. What is your message to aspiring writers out there?

 
It is not enough to just write. Study the field you are entering to know, basically, what were already written and what should be written.

Looking for Andoy: Doms and MJ

Salanga winner MJ Tumamac and Alcala winner Doms Agsaway finally met to discuss publishers' contracts on the publication of their story, Ngumiti Si Andoy. I had a good time facilitating the bidding as these two young artists had been frank and open.

This will be MJ Tumamac's first published book for children. Doms Agsaway is already a published illustrator but winning the Alcala Prize this year thrilled him to the bones as he joins the roster of prominent Inkies who've snagged the Alcala medal in past competitions.

Good luck to MJ and more power to Doms!

Looking for Andoy: Dominic Agsaway on Ngumiti si Andoy

Dominic Agsaway's winning work on the Salanga Prize story, Ngumiti si Andoy, portrays the child narrator and Andres Bonifacio together. They interact and engage in conversation. This is pretty much a literal rendition of the story. But the child, a little boy assigned to draw Andres Bonifacio for a school assignment, is shown with a personality that is playful and imaginative

The boy is seen walking into a park that's littered with trash. Apparently, this is the school's Hero's Park where the sculptures of Rizal, Bonifacio and other heroes are found. There is no doubt or suspicion in the boy's face, instead, there is a smile  and a curious glint in his eyes. When confronted by the moving statue of Bonifacio, he is surprised but unafraid.

Agsaway's illustrations depicted the child and his child like qualities. It made me remember how fearless I was as a young girl; how curious and unafraid. His rendition of the story fits the child character's ability to imagine and create. Thinking about it all, Ngumit si Andoy is not only the story of Andres Bonifacio, but that of the thinking child and his power to imagine.

I look forward to meeting Mr. Dominic Agsaway in person this coming July 2013 as he will receive his award and cash prize during the 30th National Children's Book Day at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Looking for Andoy: Sergio Bumatay III on Ngumiti si Andoy

Sergio Bumatay III's entries to the 2013 Alcala Prize were served in a platter. Literally. The clay sculptures depicted a young Andres Bonifacio and his Katipunero days. To me, his art works communicated dedication to the craft; taking risk and trying out something new. It worked on the concept of a talking sculpture. Impressive!

Call for Entries: 2013 PBBY Alcala Prize

The Call for Entries to the PBBY Alcala Prize for 2013 has been made official. Lifted from the PBBY website --

The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) is now accepting entries for the 2013 PBBY-Alcala Prize.

The winner shall be given a cash prize of P25,000.00, a gold medal, and an opportunity to be published. Prizes will be awarded in an appropriate ceremony to be held during the celebration of National Children's Book Day on July 16, 2013.

Go to this link to read the contest rules The winning Salanga Prize for 2013, Ngumiti si Andoy by Michael Jude Tumamac, can be downloaded for the artist's reference. For more information on past Salanga and Alcala prizes, view them here.

Official Press Release: 2013 Salanga Prize Winners

Here's an update and official press release from PBBY on the 2013 Salanga Prize

 

Teacher Wins 2013 PBBY-Salanga Prize

            The Philippine Board on Books for Young People declared Michael Jude C. Tumamac as the Grand Prize winner of the 2013 PBBY-Salanga Prize. Tumamac’s winning story, “Ngumiti si Andoy,” is a story inspired by the life of  Andres Bonifacio. Michael is a teacher and a proud member of Kuwentista ng mga Tskiting (KUTING) and Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA).

Honorable mention  went to  Mark Anthony Angeles for his story, “Si Andoy, Batang Tondo,” and April Jade Biglaen for her story, “Ang Supremo at ang Kuweba.

Tumamac shall receive Twenty-Five Thousand Pesos and a medal. Prizes will be awarded during the celebration of National Children’s Book Day in July 2013. 

For inquiries about the contest, contact the PBBY Secretariat at telephone number 352-6765 loc. 203 or e-mail pbby@adarna.com.ph.

Salanga Prize Winner 2013

L-R MJ Tumamac, Anthony Mariano, Zarah Gagatiga and Cindy Bajema

 

News from the PBBY Secretary General on the Salanga Prize 2013 --

Grand Prize Winner is Michael Jude C. Tumamac
Honorable Mention goes to Mark Anthony Angeles and April Jade I. Biglaen

I have no news yet on their winning stories, but it's definitely about Andres Bonifacio. Will post updates in the coming months.